THE QUINARY SYSTEM. 



xxxix 



oak, and a horse into a man, or that these degrade from man on 

 all sides. 



The theory of types seems by no means to be an improvement 

 on that of Plato, for he did not imagine the existence of any thing 

 aberrant or degraded emanating from the Deity. " The multi- 

 plication of organs," it is alleged, " is a sign of imperfection." 

 " Who," it is also said, " that observes that in proportion as 

 pedate animals approach the human type, their motions are accom- 

 plished by fewer organs, — that man walks ore sublimi, upon two 

 legs; the majority of quadrupeds wpon four; insects upon six ; the 

 Arachnida apparently upon eight ; most Crustacea upon ten ; and 

 the Myriapods and others upon many ; but will thence conclude 

 that insects must precede the Arachnida and Crustacea ? "* Were 

 it not for the high and decided tone of piety which pervades the 

 writings of all the disciples of this school, I should be strongly dis- 

 posed to consider much of the preceding language as bordering 

 on irreverence towards God, though I am very certain the con- 

 trary was meant, and that this would have been expunged, had 

 such an interpretation of it been deemed possible. I might be re- 

 ferred, indeed, to the Bible, where it is said, " Whatsoever hath 

 more feet," (or as the margin reads it, " doth multiply feet,") 

 u amongst all creeping things that creep upon the earth, them ye 

 shall not eat, for they are an abomination."f This passage, 

 however, has no allusion to what is imperfect or degraded ; but to 

 what is to be held clean or unclean, fit or not fit, to be eaten. 

 The authors repeat similar doctrines in various parts of their works, 

 such as when they distinguish the mouths of insects, as " perfect" 

 and " imperfect," according as seven enumerated organs are pre- 

 sent, or "deficient." J They further tell us, "there are five kinds 

 of imperfect mouth," exemplified in the numerous species of flies, 

 gnats, butterflies, &c. ; though these very organs here called ' 4 im- 

 perfect," exhibit some of the most admirable displays of mecha- 

 nical contrivance § to be found in the creation, as the authors well 

 know. If I am told the epithet imperfect, is a mere term, not 

 meant to ascribe defect to the great Creator, I am certainly en- 

 titled to say, that a more highly objectionable one could not have 



* Kirby and Spence, Intr. iv. 374, et seq. f Levit. xi. 42. 



t Kirby and Spence, Intr. iii. 417. § Zool. Journ. i. 94. note. 



